Combined typewriting and computing machine



18, 1931- H. H. VICKERS 1,819,931

COIBINID TYPIIRITING AND COIPUTING IACHINE Filed June 26, 1925 2Shoots-Shoot 1 g- 1931- H. H. VICKERS 1,819,931

COIIBINED TYPBWRITING AND COIPUTING MACHINE Filed June 26 1925 2Sheets-Shoot 2 FRONT VIEW //7 rev; far

Patented Aug. 18, 1931 NI ED STATES PATENT OFFICE mum? n vrcxnns, or00301, NEW YORK, assienon, BY imam: assrenmmrrs, 'ro ELLIOTT-FISHERcomrm, on NEW Yonx, N. Y., A conronnnon or DELAWARE COMBINED TYPEWBITINGAND COMPUTING MACHINE Application filed June 26,

- it for typing, in red or black, the computed numbers, according to thekind of computa' m tion being performed.

A feature of the invention relates to improved ineans for renderingineffective the automatic ribbon-setting means, so that all of thenumbers in the various columns may be typed selectively in red or black,irresp'ective of the kind of computation (subtraction or addition) beingperformed.

To this end, there is provided a ribboncontrolling handle which normallymay occupy an ineffective position While the automaticribbon-controlling mechanism is effective. When, however, it is desiredto type all of the numbers in red, the handle is moved in one directionfrom normal position, bringing the red field of the ribbon into use.When it is desired to type all of the numbers in black, the handle isset in the opposite direction from its normal position.

Said handle may be provided upon a bellcrank lever, to one end of whichma be connected a rearwardly-extending lin which link connects to anactuating lever. This lever may have a lateral extension which may beswung forwardly to engage the rear edge of the pendant of theribbon-shifting mechanism for swinging its lower free end out ofcooperative alignment with the state-setting mechanism. Hence when thestate-setting mechanism is set for a black subtraction, the black fieldof the ribbon remains stationary. Should, however, said actuating leverbe actuatedsubsequently to setting the machine and lifting the pendantfor a red subtraction, the pendant is disabled, and a spring restoresthe black field of the ribbon for a black subtraction. When theactuating lever is operated in the opposite direction, its lateralextension engages with a rearwardly-extending link connected to theribbon- 1925. Serial No. 89,650.

shifting pendant to lift said pendant and thus shift theribbon-mechanism to bring the red field of the ribbon into use.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear. V

In the accompanying drawings, I

Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation o the machine, showing sufficientof the mechanism to illustrate the application of the invention to themachine. v

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of a portion of the machine, withthe invention applied thereto.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary front view of the machine, showing theribbon-controlling handle in its neutral or ineffective position.

Figure 4 is top plan view, showing column-stops on the carriage andlevers with whichthey co-opera'te. I

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of some of the parts shown in Figure 1,and. shows theribbon-shifting handle in its upper position, the machinebeing set for red addition.

Figure 6 is a similar view, showing the handle'moved to its lowermostposition to render the black field of the ribbon effective.

In the Underwood computing machine, type-bars 10 are operated bynumeral-keys 11 and alphabet-keys, not shown, to swing said type-barsupwardly and rearwardly about a common fulcrum 13 to cause types 14 toprint, through a bichrome ribbon 15 against a platen 16. The platen issupported in a carriage 17 which travels back and forth in the usual wayon a main frame 18, and is urged toward the left of the machine by theusual spring-drum, not shown. The letterspace movements (of the carriageare controlled by the usual escapement mechanism including a frame 20,which has at its forward end a universal bar 21 to be engaged by heels22 of the type-bars, so as to move said universal bar rearwardly at eachactuation of a type-bar to efiect the feed of the carriage, theuniversal bar being restored to normal by means of a return spring, notshown. I

The ribbon 15 is normally below the printing point, but is vibrated ateach actuatiorr,

said ribbon into the of a tytpe-bar to brin 0 this end, the usual path 0the types.

vibrating lever 23, which is fulcrumed on a fixed pivot 24, is connectedto the frame ribbon-vibrating lever to present the black field 30 of theribbon to the printin Said bracket is shiftable laterally through themedium of a link 31 and mechanism, hereinafter described, to disconnectit from the upper in 26 and connect it with the lower pin 2 whichis'nearer to the fulcrum of the ribbon-vibrating lever. Consequently,when the universal bar 21 is operated, the ribbon 15 is raised to ahigher position, thus presenting the lower red field 32 to the printingpoint as fully describedin the patent to W. E, 22, 1912.

A number, when it is being typed, is also set'u on com uting bars byindexing pins, not 5 own, w ich are operated by pin-setting linkages 33connected to numeral-keyoperated rock-shafts 34. After'the number hasbeen set up, it is run into the register by means of a general operator,not shown,

which is actuated to engage the set indexing pins and, operate thecomputing bars through distances corresponding in magnitude to thevalues of the set pins. On the return stroke of the general operator,the pins are restored to normal or ineffective ositions to clear thecomputing bars, so t at the next succeeding number may be set up. As thecarriage travels through the computing zone, the various computing barsare selected successively in their denominational order, so as to bringthe pins of each bar into register with the pin-setting linkages 33.This denomination-selecting mechanism includes jacks 35 arranged at theback of the machine, said jacks being actuable, one at a time,successively, by one or more selectors 36 supported on bars 37 and 38secured to the carriage, each selector being provided with a tappet 4Oconstructed to actuate the jacks only when the carriage travels in aletter-space direction.

The carriage may be quickly located in any denominational position of acolunm by means of the usual tabulator mechanism includin denominationalstops 41 operable indivi ually by the usual keys, not shown, to bringthem into the path of any one of a 'adjustably supporte point. I

lBarnard, No. 1,041,722 of October series of counter-sto s or'column-stops 42 on a stop-bar 43 secured to the typewriter-carriage.

The machine is normally set for addition, but may be caused to subtractby the complementary method. To set the machine for subtraction, theremay be provided a key connected'through suitable mechanism, not shown,to rock a shaft44 having a pawl 45 to normally hold asubtraction-setting slide 46 against the tension of a spring 47. The

key, when operated, withdraws the pawl 45 from the sli whereupon thespring draws the slide rearwardly, thus rocking a shaft 48 through themedium of a downwardly-extending arm 50 secured to said shaft and havina pin-and-slot connection 51 with said side. The shaft 48 is providedwith a forwardly-extending arm 52 having a pinand-slot connection53'with an arm 54 extending rearwardly from a bar 55 pivoted at itsupper end in cars 59 secured to a fixed frame 57. The bar 55 engages inslots 58 formed in all of the key-operated rock-shafts 34, so that, uponthe actuation of the subtraction-setting slide, all of the rock-shafts34 are 'moved forwardly to connect them with the pin-setting linkages ofcomplementarly value for subtraction.

he machine may also be set to the state of subtraction automatically.For this urpose, stop 42, set at a column in whic it is desired tosubtract, is provided with a leftwardly-extending arm 60, which, as thecarriage enters the computing zone, engages a do 61 of a lever 62pivoted on a stud 63 on tie tabulator-bracket 64- to draw upwardly on alink 65 connected to mechanism illustrated in said Kupetz patent, torock the shaft 44, and thus withdraw the pawl 45 from thesubtraction-setting slide, onabling the latter and the connectedmechanism to be operated by the spring 47, as previously described.Ordinarily it is desired to type all of the computed numbers in blackwhen adding, and in red when subtracting. The machine is normally in thestate of addition, and, accordingly, the black field of the ribbon isnormally effective. To render the red field of the ribbon effective whenthe machine is set for subtraction, the rock-shaft 48 is provided with arearwardly-extending arm 66 carrying at its free end a plum er 67 whichis thrust upwardly thereby. gaid plunger 67 engages the lower end of andant 68 associated with the ribbon-shifting mechanism. Said pendant ispivotally connected at 70 to an arm 71 secured to a rock-shaft 72 toactuate the latter. The rock-shaft 72 is provided with a second arm 73connected to the ribbon-shifting link 31 to draw the latter outwardly,thus shifting the bracket 25 to disengage the upper pin 26 of theribbon-vibrator and engage the lower pin 27, so that,

when the universal bar is operated by. the printin ty e-bars, theloweror red field 32 of t e ri bon is brought to the printing point. Undercertain conditions,'as brought out in the Kupetz patent, page 4, linesto 48, it is desirable to type a subtracted number in black in apredetermined column. To bring this about, means is provided whichincludes an extension 74 on a subtractionsetting column-stop 42",mounted on the carriage to travel therewith, said extension being broadenough to not only actuate the subtraction-settin lever, but to alsoactuate a ribbon-control ever 75, to ull upwardly on a link 76 to rock ashaft 7 in a clockwise direction through the medium of an arm 78connected to said shaft. The shaft 77 is provided with a second arm 80connected to a link 79, extending forwardly to the pendant 68 of theribbon-shiftin mechanism to move the free end of sai pendant out ofco-operative alignment with the plunger 67 associated with thesubtraction-setting mechanism, thus enabling the latter to be actuatedwithout rendering the red field of the ribbon effective.

Provision is made to indicate the kind of computation (addition orsubtraction), and to indicate the color of the effective ribbonfield(black or red) while the com utation is being performed. To indicate t ecolor of the effective ribbon-field, the ribbonshifting rock-shaft 72 isprovided at its forward end with a signal-device 81 rovided with a blackfield 82 and a red eld 83 which may be viewed, one at a time, through acircular opening 84 in'a coverplate 85 attached to, the frame of themachine. The black si a1 82 is normally effective. When the re field ofthe ribbon is rendered effective, however, through the lifting of thependant 68, as previously described, the shaft 72 is rocked, thusbringing the red surface 83 of the signal to the sight-opening .84.

To indicate the kind of computation being performed, there is provided asecond signal 89 which is located "behind the ribbon signal 81. Thesignal 89 is provided with indications A and S representing addition andsubtraction, respectively. Normally this signal is in a position,indicated in Figures 2 and 3, where the A may be'read at thesight-opening 84 and through an aperture 85 in the black field 82 of theribbon si nal. Thus the'operative, in observing t e sight-openin seesthe black signal 82 and the indicatlon A and knows that the machine isset for black addition. When the machine is set for subtraction, theplunger 67, inaddition to engaging the ribbon-shifting plunger, alsoengages a second pendant 86 connected to an arm 87 of a bail 88pivotally supported on the rock-shaft 72, said bail carrying at itsforward end the computation signal 89. From this'it follows that whenthe plun er moves up wardly, both pendants 68 an 86 are moved upwardlythereby to shift their associated signals 81 and 89, respectively,against the tension of return springs 81' and 89", thus indicating redsubtraction at the sight-opening '84, the red field of the color slgnalbeing provided with anaperture 87 through which the S of the computationsignal may be observed.

The operations thus far described are common to the Underwood bookkeeing machine. It has been found desirab e in certain kinds of work, alsoto be performed on this machine, to render the automatic ribbon-shiftingmeans ineffective, so that all of the numbers in the various columns maybe typed selectively in red or black, irrespective of the kind ofcomputation being performed.

When it is desired to have all of the numtending link'94 to a lever 95to actuate it.

in a clockwise direction. The lever 95 is pivotally sup rted on a rod 96supported in brackets 9 a secured to the main frame of the machine. Thelever 95 is held in position on said rod 96 by two collars 97, one ateach end thereof. Said lever 95 is provided with a lateral extensionorcrankarm 98 to engage behind the pendant 68 to swing the latterforwardly so as to take its lower end out of co-operative relation withthe plunger 67. To retain the pendant indefinitely in this position, thebell-crank is provided with a detent 100 to engage in a notch 101'formed in a plate 102, which plate is held in position by a screw 103,which secures the usual front plate to the machine-frame, and a screw104. Thus it will be understood that the machine may add or subtract andthe computed numbers be tgped in black while the ribbon-shifting pen antis held in its forward position, the plunger 67 moving upwardly idlypast the pendant 68 while the machine is being set to subtraction.

When it is desired to type all the numbers in red, the setting device 90is swung upwardly from its normally neutral or ineffective position toswing the connected lever in a counter-clockwise direction (Figure 5),thus causing the lateral extension 98 toengage the link 79 connected tothe ribbon-shifting pendant 68 to 11ft the latter to vibrate the link 31and con uently change the connection of the brac et 25 with theribbon-vibrator 28, so that the red field 32 of the ribbon is vibratedto the printing point upon the actuation of the type-bars 10. Thesetting device 90 may be retained in its upper osition indefinitely, tokeep the red field o the ribbon in use,

by means of the detent 100 which engages.

in an 11 per notch 106 of the detent plate 102. When it is desired torestore the ribbon-shifting mechanism to its normal state so that theribbon may be shifted automatically as previously described, the settingdevice is moved to its intermediate or neutral position of Figure 1where it is held by means of the detent 100 engaging in an intermediateslot 107 of the detent plate 102.

It will be understood that the setting device 90 may be operated at anytime after the carriage has entered the computing zone to shift theribbon from black to red or vice versa.

A credit-balance key 110, shown in the above-mentionedKupetz patent, maybe operated to actuate a lever 111 provided with a cam 112 to engage thelower end of the ribbon-shifting pendant 68 to raise the latter torender the red field 32 of the ribbon effective.

From the above description it will be noted that when the credit-balancekey 110 is depressed, the computative state of the machine is set for ared subtraction record, and the manipulation of the bell-crank 90 willcause the arm 98 to push the raised pendant 68 off the cam 112 and underthe tension spring 81*, the pendant 68 will drop, the previously set redfield of the ribbon will be superseded by the black ribbon field, andthe typed record will be entered as a black subtraction in the redsubtraction column; that when the credit-balance key 110 sets up the redribbon subtractive state, and it is desirable to automatically changethe character of the computation within a certain zone from a redsubtraction to a black subtraction, the movement of the carriage to saidzone carries the stop 42* and its extension 74 into a position to engageand vibrate the lever 75 connected to push the link 79, to force thependant 68 off the cam 112 and condition the machine for a blacksubtraction, and should it be required to enter a red subtraction recordin the black subtraction column, manipulation of the bellcrank 90vibrates the arm 98 to lift the link 79 and the pendant 68 and hold thered field'ot the ribbon for a red subtraction entry; and that themanipulation of the bell-crank 90 within a black addition column willoperate to lift the pendant 68 and present a red ribbon field for a redaddition ent in a black addition column.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, andportions of the improvements may be used without others.

aving'thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a ty writing and computing machine normal i set for addition, thecombination state-setting mechanism, with a ribbon havin a black fieldand a red field, automatic ri bon-field-shiftin mechanism including apendant operab e by the statesetting mechanism while the machine isbeing set to the state of subtraction to render the redfield of theribbon effective, a carri age and carriage-operated means includin alink connected to said pendant to shi t said pendant out of co-operativerelation with the state-setting mechanism automatically, of amanually-controlled lever operable in one direction to engage saidpendant to shift the latter out of co-operative relation with thestate-setting mechanism to render the black field of the ribboneffective while the machine is in the state of subtraction, said leverbeing operable in the other direction to engage said link to lift thependant to render the red field of the ribbon effective when the machineis in the state of addition.

2. In a ty writing and computing machine normal y set for addition, thecombination with subtraction-setting mechanism, a ribbon having a blackfield and a red field, and ribbon-field-shifting mechanism including adevice which is operable by the sub-' traction-setting mechanism torender the red field of the ribbon effective when the machine is set toa state of subtraction, of means including a finger-piece actuable inone direction and operatively connected to shift said device out ofengagement with the subtraction-setting mechanism to render the blackfield of the ribbon effective while the machine is in the state ofsubtraction, said finger-piece being shiftable in the opposite directionand operably connected to actuate said device to render the red field ofthe ribbon effective while the machine 'is in the state of addition.

3. In a typewriting and computing machine normally set for addition, thecombination with state-setting mechanism, a ribbon having fields ofdifferent characteristics and ribbon-field-shifting mechanism includinga pendant normally co-operative with the state-setting mechanjsm, 'ofmanual means operable to shift said pendant out of co-operative relationwith said state-settin mechanism, or operable to lift said shiftedpendant to change the ribbon-field previously set up by thestate-setting mechanism.

4. In a typewriting and computing machine normally set for addition, thecombination with state-setting mechanism, a ribbon having a black and ared field, and ribbon-shifting mechanism including a pendant operativelylifted by the state-setting mechanism when the machine is bein set tothe state of subtraction to render t e red field of the ribboneffective, of manual means operable to release said pendant lifted bythe state-setting mechanism and restore the black field of the ribbonfor a black subtraction record.

5. In a typewriting and computing machine normally set for addition, thecombination with state-settin mechanism, a ribbon having fields of dierent characteristics, and ribbon-field-selecting mechanism including adevice normally co-o rative with the state-setting mechanism, 0 meansoperable to shift said ribbon-shift device out of co-operative relationwith said statesetting mechanism or operable to actuate said.ribbon-shift device to change the ribbon-field previously set up by thestatesetting mechanism, said shifting means including a finger-lever atthe front of the machine operative between two positions fixed byindexing stops.

6. In a typewriting and computing machine, the combination withsubtractionsetting mechanism, a ribbon having a black and a red field,and automatic ribbon-shifting mechanism including a device normallyoperable by the subtraction-setting mechanism to shift the red field ofthe ribbon to the typing position, of manual means operatively connectedto render said ribbonshift device inoperative to the subtractionsettingmechanism said means also operatively connected to actuate theribbon-shift device to shift the red, field of the ribbon to the typingposition at any stage of a computation.

7. In a typewriting and computing machine normally set for addition, thecombination with subtraction-setting mechanism, a ribbon having a blackfield and a red field, and automatic ribbon-shifting mechanism includinga device normally operable by the subtraction-setting mechanism to shiftthe operative field of the ribbon from black to red of a finger-leverhaving connections that are shiftable by the lever to one position todisable the ribbon-shifting device to the subtraction-setting mechanism,to type in black within a su traction zone, and shiftable by the leverto another position to actuate the ribbon-shifting device and shift theribbon-field to red within an adding zone. I

8. In a typewriting and computing machine normally set for addition, thecombination with a power-driven carriage,-

state-setting mechanism rendered operative during the travel of thecarriage to establish a subtraction zone, a ribbon having a normal blackfield and a shiftable red field,

fective upon the ribbon-field-changlng mechanism to temporarily reverseeither ribbon-field setting established through the movement of thecarriage for any subtractron zone.

9. In a ty ewriting and computing machine norma 1y set for addition, thecom-- bination with a power-driven carria e and an inkin ribbon having ablack fie d and a red fie d, subtraction-setting mechanism automatlcallyactuated by the travel of the carriage to predetermine a subtractionzone, and ribbon-field-changing mechanism cooperative with thesubtractlon-setting mechanism to automaticall predetermine a normalsetting for the rlbbon-fields for typing m either black or red withinsaid separate subtraction zones, of manual means operatively connectedto the ribbon-field-changmg mechanism to reverse, at will, theribbon-field settings automatically established by the travel of thecarriage. I

10. In a typewriting and computing machine, the combination with apower-driven carriage, an inking ribbon having fields of differentcharacteristics, a computing mechanism, mechanism operatingautomatically at a predetermined point in the travel of the carriage toestablish a computing zone for the computing mechanism, and mechan 1smoperating automatically at the establlshed computing zone to effect ashifting of the ribbon-field for a computing operation, of manual meansoperatlvely connect edvto vlbrate in two directions and control" theribbon-shifting mechanism to change either field of the ribbonestablished by the carriage for a computing zone.

11. In a typewriting and computin machine, the combination with apowerriven carriage, an inking ribbon havin a black field and a redfield, and a computing mechanism including a subtraction-settingmechanism automatically actuated by the travel of the carriage topredetermine a subtraction zone for the computing meclgmism, of'ribbon-field-changing mechanisms for typin in both black and red withinthe Same su traction-zones, one ribbon-field-changing mechanismautomatically 0 erable through the travel of the carriage or set ting upa black or a red subtraction, and the other ribbon-field-changingmechanism operable by hand to reverse the automatically set color fieldsof the ribbon.

to disable it and set u 12. In a ty writing and computing machinenormali set for addition, the combination with state-setting mechanism,a two-color ribbon having a red field, automatic ribbon-field-shiftingmechanism including a pendant which 1s operable by the state-settingmechanism while the machine is being set to the state of subtraction torender the red field of the ribbon efiective, a carriage, and meansoperable by the movement of said carriage to shift said pendant themachine for a black subtraction, sai means including a link connected tosaid pendant, of manua lyoperated means to engage said link to lift thepreviously disabled pendant and render the red field of the ribbonefiective for a red subtraction record within a carriage-set blacksubtraction zone.

13. In a typewriting and computing machine normally set for addition,the combination with a carriage, ribbon-mechanism including a ribbonhavin a black field and a red field, the black fie d being normallyeffective, subtraction-setting mechanism, means operable by the movementof the carriage to actuate the subtraction-setting mechanism, and meansoperable b the subtraction-setting mechanism to shi t theribbon-mechanism to render the red field of the ribbon efiective for ared subtraction entry in the red subtraction column, of a shift-key, andmechanism operable by said key in one direction of its movement, todisable the ribbon-mechanism set up by the carriage for a redsubtraction and restore the black field of the ribbon for a blacksubtraction record in the red subtraction column.

14. In a ty ewriting and computing machine normal y set for addition,the combination with a traveling carriage, types, asubtraction-mechanism settable by the carriage, a ribbon having a blackand a red field, and automatic ribbon-field-changing mechanism includinga pendant controlled b the travel of the carriage to present either ared field or a black field to the types'for a red subtraction or for ablack subtraction record, of manual means efiective upon the pendant toreverse the carriage-settings of the ribbon-fields, so thatboth blackand red subtraction records may be typed in either column normallypredetermined by the carriage for black subtraction or for redsubtraction.

15. In a typewriting and computing machine normally set for addition,the combination with a traveling carriage, types, asnbtraction-mechanism settable by the carwage, a ribbon having a blackand a red field, and automatic ribbon-field-changing mechanism includinga pendant controlled by the travel of the carriage to present either ared field or a black field to the types for a red subtraction or for ablack subtraction record, of a shift-key including a bell-crank o rableto convey motion in reverse direc- 't1ons, and means operably connectedwith to said means.

HARRY H. VICKERS.

